Court throws out Sisilfaru's case against Islamic ministry

The Civil Court has thrown out Sisilfaru Hajj and Umrah Group’s case against the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

Sisilfaru Group claims that the ministry had acted unfairly in choosing companies to send pilgrims for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. While 18 companies had expressed interest, it had selected six after an evaluation process.

While Sisilfaru, which has 35 years of experience in carrying pilgrims, was not chosen, it filed a suit at the Civil Court on May 14.

The company claims that the companies were selected against the instructions given, as well as the Public Finance Act.

Further noting that past experience had taught them to make certain arrangements in advance, Sisilfaru Group said that it had done so this year as well and that not having the permission to carry pilgrims this year would cause an irrevocable loss.

Hence, it is seeking a temporary injunction in the case as well.

The case was forwarded to trial earlier in May, after failing to reach a solution in the dispute resolution stage.

At a hearing held on Wednesday, the court said that it cannot proceed with the case due to “incomplete procedures.”

Sisilfaru’s attorney, Nazim Sattar tweeted that the case was thrown out on the grounds that a complaint must be lodged at the ministry first.